04/06/26
The party is over, it's time to get on your way ....
Safe travels, hope you've enjoyed one or even both rallies, there are sometimes hiccups but we get there in the end.
I will be at the gate after the waste disposal has left, so there will be no more 'campgate' dramas. I'm in no hurry as I'm not far from home, so please don't feel as though you need to rush off, though leaving before 1100 would be helpful for me.
Safe travels everyone, hope to see you in a field somewhere soon, best wishes and thanks for visiting our neck if the woods.
(unfortunately Yvette has grandchildren duties this morning so you might not see her when you leave but she also sends her best wishes for a safe journey)
Dave and Yvette
03/06/26
Rubbish will now be collected @9am on Thursday morning ....... Sorry to disturb anyone's morning lie in .....
O2/06/26
Before I locked the scout hut last night, I checked the toilets and one of the taps in the wash hand basins had been accidentally left running. Can we try to ensure that doesn't happen again please.
The scout hut will be locked and off limits at 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, as they have Guides and Cubs meetings the 'emergency' toilets, where fresh water and clean water are taken from will be open. They're not great but are ok if needed in an emergency.
Please respect their sole use of the scout hut after 5pm. Thank you.
PS, feel free to connect your own hose or top up container for fresh water in the emergency toilets, but please ensure that they are not in use at that time as a matter of courtesy.
1840 - 01/06/26
Quiz is on tonight @2000 hrs - Thanks to The Coops for kindly setting it all up for us, I have been volunteered to act as quiz master ..
1450 - 01/06/26
The front gate is now locked to help our security but also to prevent unauthorised entry etc. if you need to go out or come back then you will need to come and get the key, unlock, enter, lock back.up and then return the key to me. I'm sure you all recognise and understand why.
Thanks
Dave and Yvette....
0945 02/06/26. ALL UP AND RUNNING.!!! Arrive whenever you want to ...
Turn left at Thorrington Cross, just after passing though Thorrington
READ FURTHER DOWN FOR FULL DIRECTIONS
UPDATE 30/05 - directions for the River Cruise - post code CO70AP
meet at the harbour masters office, its prob twenty minutes walk from the Playing Fields towards the harbour, basically turn right out of the playing fields and keep going .......
I've asked for us to be seated as a group on both sittings, so a table of ten and a table of twelve.
UPDATE 28/05
NO-ONE WANTS TO CANCEL THE RIVER CRUISE, SO ITS STILL GOING TO GO AHEAD !!!
The weather isn't looking great next week for the river cruise. We have the opportunity to cancel 'today', they don't normally offer cancellations but because my Son in Law is now the Harbour Master, it's his perogative.
We can get a full refund and potentially just go for a meal at the Tapas bar or somewhere else OR whatever you want ....
Let me know please ASAP, I'll either be in my moho or opposite Emmits bookstall
UPDATE 28/05
Simple directions to Brightlingsea for those at Thorpe
I advise not to follow your sat navs immediately from Thorpe, there is a couple of miles along narrow roads on the direct route, so I advise the following
Turn right out of the Thorpe camp site, continue under the railway line, up the hill and continue (past the small shop) until you reach Plough Corner (which was an emergency Aerodrome in WW1).
Turn left at that junction, (its a T junction)
Follow that road towards Clacton, you will go through Little Clacton high street (all four shops of it!) and across one roundabout, continue, going past Highfields holiday park on the left and then a large Tesco's on your right.
When you get to the next roundabout you will see the fire station over the roundabout, turn right at that roundabout, going past the fire station which will then be on your left as you go past.
Sat navs will probably be ok from there, because it's just one long road, don't turn off that road and go straight across any roundabouts (I think there's only one) until you reach the roundabout signposted Brightlingsea, where you will turn left. It's probably about four or five miles from the fire station roundabout.
As the road starts to rise, you will see a church to your right, be careful around that next left hand bend, it's quite deceiving so I would advise slowing down.
Fron there, follow the signs towards the harbour/industrial area (just don't turn off that road may be simpler !!) and you will eventually come to the Lower Park Playing Fields on your right. If you go past the Fire Station on your left, you've gone too far by about 100 yards!!
There is more info, photos etc below
UPDATE 23/05
Unfortunately someone has had to pull out of the rally who had booked two places on the Monday river tour and meal.
It's too late now for a refund as it's all been booked and paid for. Is anyone interested in taking their places? Let me know ASAP please and I will put you in touch with them, thanks. SPACE NOW TAKEN!
Update 18/05/26
Photos of the way in
That's my car on the entrance/access road
Update 16/05/26
I have just returned from the Rally location. We will have full use of the scout hut and toilets each day, other than Tuesday and Wednesday between 1600 and 2100hrs. Emptying of toilet cassettes will be via an open manhole, with adjacent hose pipe for cleaning. Please ensure you leave the area clean.
Fresh water will be available from a separate water point, some distance away. Grey waste should be released into the tree line, however you need to be aware that there are adders sometimes found in the undergrowth along the tree line. If the weather is hot and sunny you may see them 'sun bathing'. If you spot an adder please report it to me immediately and pass the word around the rally please. Ensure that all dogs are kept on a leash, especially around the tree line. There is a dog waste disposal bin near the entrance to the rally field.
I have been asked that we ensure we finish any activities at 2300 and to lock the scout hut shortly after. I will reopen it again at 1100 hours each day and 0900 on Thursday, unless of course someone wants to be our 'key person' ........ (that gets up earlier than i do !!) There are kitchen facilities BUT i would ask that the use is limited and kept clean, along with the toilets. We are responsible for cleaning anything we use and for any damage caused. What Three Words
Update 12/05/26
I have arranged for waste/rubbish disposal. One bin bag per motorhome. It will be collected on Thursday morning at 1000hrs, so just before we leave. I think I can do it within the monies already paid, if not it will prob need a 'donation' of £1 per bag to cover if that's ok? Please make sure it's only waste from the Brighlingsea rally !
Update 7/5/26
Check post #135 re potential 'event/do' at a local Tappas bar or you could just book independent tables for a time of your choice? Let me know if there's any interest for an organised meet up?
I have tried to put together a general information document but to be honest the local council have their own anyway on the internet.
There are local shops well within walking distance of the rally field so don't panic if you haven't been shopping enough route.
There's not much point working out bus routes etc as we're only there for three nights and there should be plenty to do including doing nothing!!
A word of warning though, as you drive towards Brightlingsea and arrive at the church in your right at the top of the hill, it's a very sharp left hand bend, so please take it easy. There is only one road in and one road out so you will need to 'go round the bend' - a description that most of us match at time to time!
The black waste facilities will be basic but adequate, as will fresh water. I will confirm grey waste disposal after speaking to the scouts (they provide those facilities).
Disposal of household rubbish is a bit more 'delicate'. I can hopefully arrange for someone to collect the waste on Thursday morning, which will need to be in bin bags, NOT carrier or shopping bags!! There are no facilities on the rally field and please don't either leave any waste as I am personally responsible for ensuring the field etc is clean before leaving. Depositing rubbish around the town is also NOT acceptable (as if any of us would do that ...
)
To arrive at the rally location, just follow the signs to the waterfront and you will see playing fields on your right, just before the fire station. I will put some flags out so you should see it. I will be outside the field aswell in a fluorescent vest so you shouldn't miss the rally field. The post code is CO7 OJX, Lower Park Road Brighlingsea Colchester
Hope the info helps
it will last for three nights from midday on Monday 1st June and depart around midday on the 4th June. Activities are being planned but are not compulsory and will be mainly around the boating theme of the town and harbour and likely to involve short boat trips over to Mersea Island or Point Clear.
There are around nine pubs plus a few restaurants/cafes within a five/ten minute walk from the rally site and a small town centre to explore.
Below are the provisional names for Brightlingsea, sorry if ive missed anyone off, i deleted the initial thread to make two separate rallies, Thorpe and Brightlingsea to make it easier for me to manage and so as to make it easier for people to choose one rally, both rallies or none of them
Can you please confirm your attendance or otherwise and if ive missed you off and you want to attend the follow on, then please accept my apology and let me know.
The rally will be the local playing fields. An advantage of the playing field is that the scout hut will be available for us from 1900-2300 each evening, which was reasonably successful earlier this year at Stow Maries.
There will be toilet facilities, no showers, also available throughout our stay, though they are not of a particular high standard they are usable. We would be responsible for the removal of our own rubbish, so we would all need to either take our rubbish home with us or come up with a plan for disposal and the cost of course!
We will probably book the scout hut for Monday and Wednesday night (as the hut is used on a Tuesday)
1 MisterB *
2 PJ650 *
3 Clive and Kerry *
4 Theonlysue *
5 Welshcake lady *
6 Jock and Rita *
7 Suavecarve*
8 peterc10 *
9 DA Burleigh *
10 Gaston aires
11 Langtoft lad N/A
12 Hezbez *
13 Kannon Fodda *
14 Mountbatten N/A
15 Just Smiffy *
16 Scally *
17 John W *
18 Ven *
19 Emmit *
20 Phileas Dog *
21 Les *
22 The Two of us *
23 Periginator N/A
24 Hills and Glenns N/A
25 The Coops *
26 The Bramleys *
27 Doobray *
28 Paul Leon *
29 Walburga N/A
30 Chris RJ *
31 Centurian *
32 Jeff Belfield *
33 Andy from Sandy *
34 Oldies on Tour *
35 ChrisL*
36 Retiring Joyce *
37 Vincent747 *
The party is over, it's time to get on your way ....
Safe travels, hope you've enjoyed one or even both rallies, there are sometimes hiccups but we get there in the end.
I will be at the gate after the waste disposal has left, so there will be no more 'campgate' dramas. I'm in no hurry as I'm not far from home, so please don't feel as though you need to rush off, though leaving before 1100 would be helpful for me.
Safe travels everyone, hope to see you in a field somewhere soon, best wishes and thanks for visiting our neck if the woods.
(unfortunately Yvette has grandchildren duties this morning so you might not see her when you leave but she also sends her best wishes for a safe journey)
Dave and Yvette
03/06/26
Rubbish will now be collected @9am on Thursday morning ....... Sorry to disturb anyone's morning lie in .....
O2/06/26
Before I locked the scout hut last night, I checked the toilets and one of the taps in the wash hand basins had been accidentally left running. Can we try to ensure that doesn't happen again please.
The scout hut will be locked and off limits at 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, as they have Guides and Cubs meetings the 'emergency' toilets, where fresh water and clean water are taken from will be open. They're not great but are ok if needed in an emergency.
Please respect their sole use of the scout hut after 5pm. Thank you.
PS, feel free to connect your own hose or top up container for fresh water in the emergency toilets, but please ensure that they are not in use at that time as a matter of courtesy.
1840 - 01/06/26
Quiz is on tonight @2000 hrs - Thanks to The Coops for kindly setting it all up for us, I have been volunteered to act as quiz master ..
1450 - 01/06/26
The front gate is now locked to help our security but also to prevent unauthorised entry etc. if you need to go out or come back then you will need to come and get the key, unlock, enter, lock back.up and then return the key to me. I'm sure you all recognise and understand why.
Thanks
Dave and Yvette....
0945 02/06/26. ALL UP AND RUNNING.!!! Arrive whenever you want to ...
Turn left at Thorrington Cross, just after passing though Thorrington
READ FURTHER DOWN FOR FULL DIRECTIONS
UPDATE 30/05 - directions for the River Cruise - post code CO70AP
meet at the harbour masters office, its prob twenty minutes walk from the Playing Fields towards the harbour, basically turn right out of the playing fields and keep going .......
I've asked for us to be seated as a group on both sittings, so a table of ten and a table of twelve.
UPDATE 28/05
NO-ONE WANTS TO CANCEL THE RIVER CRUISE, SO ITS STILL GOING TO GO AHEAD !!!
The weather isn't looking great next week for the river cruise. We have the opportunity to cancel 'today', they don't normally offer cancellations but because my Son in Law is now the Harbour Master, it's his perogative.
We can get a full refund and potentially just go for a meal at the Tapas bar or somewhere else OR whatever you want ....
Let me know please ASAP, I'll either be in my moho or opposite Emmits bookstall
UPDATE 28/05
Simple directions to Brightlingsea for those at Thorpe
I advise not to follow your sat navs immediately from Thorpe, there is a couple of miles along narrow roads on the direct route, so I advise the following
Turn right out of the Thorpe camp site, continue under the railway line, up the hill and continue (past the small shop) until you reach Plough Corner (which was an emergency Aerodrome in WW1).
Turn left at that junction, (its a T junction)
Follow that road towards Clacton, you will go through Little Clacton high street (all four shops of it!) and across one roundabout, continue, going past Highfields holiday park on the left and then a large Tesco's on your right.
When you get to the next roundabout you will see the fire station over the roundabout, turn right at that roundabout, going past the fire station which will then be on your left as you go past.
Sat navs will probably be ok from there, because it's just one long road, don't turn off that road and go straight across any roundabouts (I think there's only one) until you reach the roundabout signposted Brightlingsea, where you will turn left. It's probably about four or five miles from the fire station roundabout.
As the road starts to rise, you will see a church to your right, be careful around that next left hand bend, it's quite deceiving so I would advise slowing down.
Fron there, follow the signs towards the harbour/industrial area (just don't turn off that road may be simpler !!) and you will eventually come to the Lower Park Playing Fields on your right. If you go past the Fire Station on your left, you've gone too far by about 100 yards!!
There is more info, photos etc below
UPDATE 23/05
Unfortunately someone has had to pull out of the rally who had booked two places on the Monday river tour and meal.
It's too late now for a refund as it's all been booked and paid for. Is anyone interested in taking their places? Let me know ASAP please and I will put you in touch with them, thanks. SPACE NOW TAKEN!
Update 18/05/26
Photos of the way in
That's my car on the entrance/access road
Update 16/05/26
I have just returned from the Rally location. We will have full use of the scout hut and toilets each day, other than Tuesday and Wednesday between 1600 and 2100hrs. Emptying of toilet cassettes will be via an open manhole, with adjacent hose pipe for cleaning. Please ensure you leave the area clean.
Fresh water will be available from a separate water point, some distance away. Grey waste should be released into the tree line, however you need to be aware that there are adders sometimes found in the undergrowth along the tree line. If the weather is hot and sunny you may see them 'sun bathing'. If you spot an adder please report it to me immediately and pass the word around the rally please. Ensure that all dogs are kept on a leash, especially around the tree line. There is a dog waste disposal bin near the entrance to the rally field.
I have been asked that we ensure we finish any activities at 2300 and to lock the scout hut shortly after. I will reopen it again at 1100 hours each day and 0900 on Thursday, unless of course someone wants to be our 'key person' ........ (that gets up earlier than i do !!) There are kitchen facilities BUT i would ask that the use is limited and kept clean, along with the toilets. We are responsible for cleaning anything we use and for any damage caused. What Three Words
Update 12/05/26
I have arranged for waste/rubbish disposal. One bin bag per motorhome. It will be collected on Thursday morning at 1000hrs, so just before we leave. I think I can do it within the monies already paid, if not it will prob need a 'donation' of £1 per bag to cover if that's ok? Please make sure it's only waste from the Brighlingsea rally !
Update 7/5/26
Check post #135 re potential 'event/do' at a local Tappas bar or you could just book independent tables for a time of your choice? Let me know if there's any interest for an organised meet up?
I have tried to put together a general information document but to be honest the local council have their own anyway on the internet.
There are local shops well within walking distance of the rally field so don't panic if you haven't been shopping enough route.
There's not much point working out bus routes etc as we're only there for three nights and there should be plenty to do including doing nothing!!
A word of warning though, as you drive towards Brightlingsea and arrive at the church in your right at the top of the hill, it's a very sharp left hand bend, so please take it easy. There is only one road in and one road out so you will need to 'go round the bend' - a description that most of us match at time to time!
The black waste facilities will be basic but adequate, as will fresh water. I will confirm grey waste disposal after speaking to the scouts (they provide those facilities).
Disposal of household rubbish is a bit more 'delicate'. I can hopefully arrange for someone to collect the waste on Thursday morning, which will need to be in bin bags, NOT carrier or shopping bags!! There are no facilities on the rally field and please don't either leave any waste as I am personally responsible for ensuring the field etc is clean before leaving. Depositing rubbish around the town is also NOT acceptable (as if any of us would do that ...
)To arrive at the rally location, just follow the signs to the waterfront and you will see playing fields on your right, just before the fire station. I will put some flags out so you should see it. I will be outside the field aswell in a fluorescent vest so you shouldn't miss the rally field. The post code is CO7 OJX, Lower Park Road Brighlingsea Colchester
Hope the info helps
it will last for three nights from midday on Monday 1st June and depart around midday on the 4th June. Activities are being planned but are not compulsory and will be mainly around the boating theme of the town and harbour and likely to involve short boat trips over to Mersea Island or Point Clear.
There are around nine pubs plus a few restaurants/cafes within a five/ten minute walk from the rally site and a small town centre to explore.
Below are the provisional names for Brightlingsea, sorry if ive missed anyone off, i deleted the initial thread to make two separate rallies, Thorpe and Brightlingsea to make it easier for me to manage and so as to make it easier for people to choose one rally, both rallies or none of them
Can you please confirm your attendance or otherwise and if ive missed you off and you want to attend the follow on, then please accept my apology and let me know.
The rally will be the local playing fields. An advantage of the playing field is that the scout hut will be available for us from 1900-2300 each evening, which was reasonably successful earlier this year at Stow Maries.
There will be toilet facilities, no showers, also available throughout our stay, though they are not of a particular high standard they are usable. We would be responsible for the removal of our own rubbish, so we would all need to either take our rubbish home with us or come up with a plan for disposal and the cost of course!
We will probably book the scout hut for Monday and Wednesday night (as the hut is used on a Tuesday)
1 MisterB *
2 PJ650 *
3 Clive and Kerry *
4 Theonlysue *
5 Welshcake lady *
6 Jock and Rita *
7 Suavecarve*
8 peterc10 *
9 DA Burleigh *
10 Gaston aires
11 Langtoft lad N/A
12 Hezbez *
13 Kannon Fodda *
14 Mountbatten N/A
15 Just Smiffy *
16 Scally *
17 John W *
18 Ven *
19 Emmit *
20 Phileas Dog *
21 Les *
22 The Two of us *
23 Periginator N/A
24 Hills and Glenns N/A
25 The Coops *
26 The Bramleys *
27 Doobray *
28 Paul Leon *
29 Walburga N/A
30 Chris RJ *
31 Centurian *
32 Jeff Belfield *
33 Andy from Sandy *
34 Oldies on Tour *
35 ChrisL*
36 Retiring Joyce *
37 Vincent747 *
